Richard Roubaud Gillespie

Honoring Richard Gillespie of Wilton CT

Richard Roubaud Gillespie died early in the morning on May 17th, 2024, just nine days shy of his 94th birthday, at the Norwalk Hospital in Fairfield County, CT. He passed away a few miles from his Wilton home of 38 years. His colorful life and his long-time prominence in the dinnerware industry will be celebrated at a special mid-December event in Ridgefield.

The youngest of three, Dick was born in Pittsburgh, PA and spent his early years there. His memories of his youthful escapades are described in an autobiography that he published in 2021, called "Stories of a Misspent Youth."

He graduated in 1948 from Connecticut's Salisbury School where he later served as a Board member, and as chairman of the Board for a few years as well.

He attended Princeton University, class of '52, following in his father's and brother's footsteps. His college friends affectionately assigned him the Salisbury School's nickname of Dizzy, for more reasons than his appreciation of jazz. He majored in Political Science and was a member of The Cap and Gown Club. Upon graduating from Princeton, he served two years with the U.S. Navy before earning his M.B.A from the Wharton Business School.

Dick met his first wife, Nancy Blackwood, marrying in April of 1960. During their early years, they were often on the move with his sales career for Lees Carpet, Lenox China and Art Carved Diamonds. When he transitioned to a management position at Lenox, the family settled in Princeton, NJ, living there from 1968 until 1976.

A career change took him to Reed & Barton Silversmiths in 1976, where he was named VP of Marketing. His family resettled in Providence, Rhode Island at this time. He had taken up long distance running, and soon completed eight marathons. In 1988, he married his second wife, Patrice Phillips, and they started their life together, living in Wilton, CT. Ridgefield's Wolfpit Running Club became one of the groups that they joined, and that organization was the catalyst for many of Dick's long-term friendships. His expertise in product development for the fine gifts and dinnerware industry became especially well-known during the times while he headed up a joint venture with Cartier. He later launched a popular tabletop collection with designer Lynn Chase, helped develop a line of Portuguese stoneware for Casafina, and produced giftware inspired by the life and times of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Dick is remembered as being kind, funny, curious and very well-read. Dizzy had lifelong friends from Pittsburgh, Salisbury and Princeton, and from the companies he worked with. He was a bit of a trouble-maker and instigator, and he loved retelling stories of his many escapades. He particularly enjoyed family vacations.

He is survived by his wife Patrice Gillespie. He is also survived by three children: Ann (and Bob, Bolton, MA), Porter (Providence, RI), Christopher (NY, NY), and three grandchildren: Wesley, Michael and Zelda. He was predeceased by his son, Sam, in 2003.

NOTE: Ridgefield's "Founder's Hall" senior center is a place that Dick Gillespie frequented for its valuable lectures and programs. Anyone wishing to honor Dick's life and his renowned curiosity could contribute to Founders Hall, c/o Grace Weber, Executive Director.

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